Archbishop Gössl ordains 25-year-old deacon in Bamberg Cathedral!

Archbishop Gössl ordains 25-year-old deacon in Bamberg Cathedral!

Last Saturday, September 21, 2025, a special occasion took place in the picturesque Bamberg Cathedral: Archbishop Herwig Gössl ordained 25-year-old Daniel Hartmann from Herzogenaurach as a deacon. This solemn ceremony has enormous significance not only for Daniel, but also for the entire community. The information about this comes from the press office of the Archdiocese of Bamberg, which announced that the diaconate is seen as an invitation to proclaim the word of God through one's own life.

Archbishop Gössl used the opportunity to make it clear that a “distance from God” and “forgetfulness of God” prevails in today's society. These developments worry him, especially individualism, which raises many challenges such as peace and justice. In his sensitive words, he called for people to integrate their faith into everyday life and to advocate for shared responsibility.

The diaconate as a service to the community

Ordination as a deacon is a crucial step for aspirants to the priesthood and represents one of the three forms of ordained ministry within the Catholic Church, alongside priest and bishop. Deacons are authorized to officiate baptisms and officiate at weddings and funerals. Daniel Hartmann will take on these tasks in the future and thus work directly in the community.

During his deacon ordination, Hartmann made several promises, including the vow of celibacy and the commitment to live according to the example of Christ. This is a tradition that distinguishes the diaconate from other church offices. Interestingly, since 1968, married men have also been able to be ordained as permanent deacons without aspiring to the priesthood. The term “deacon” is derived from the Greek “diakonos,” which means servant or helper and reflects the roots of the office in the early Roman church.

A deacon therefore has not only a spiritual responsibility, but also a social responsibility. In the early church, deacons took on tasks in caring for the poor and the sick and acted as assistants to the bishop. This tradition impressively expresses the importance of the diaconate in today's world. For Daniel Hartmann, this path is now the beginning of a new chapter in which he will dedicate his life to serving the community.

For further details and information about the deacons in the Archdiocese of Bamberg, interested readers can visit the official website: Diaconate Archdiocese of Bamberg.

The consecration of Daniel Hartmann is not only a personal milestone for him, but also a call to everyone to bear responsibility in faith and in the community. This ceremony reminds us that commitment and charity are important values ​​even today.